In this Oct. 26, 2010, file photo, marijuana plants flourish under grow lights at a warehouse in Denver.

More than 10,000 people are arrested annually for marijuana possession in Colorado, according to a new study by researchers with links to a drug policy-reform group.

The study derives its numbers from Federal Bureau of Investigation data. It finds there have been 210,000 marijuana-possession arrests in Colorado in the past 25 years, with more than a quarter of them coming in the five years between 2006 and 2010.

The study comes (perhaps conveniently) as supporters of a measure to legalize limited marijuana possession in Colorado are making their final push. At a news conference, the measure’s supporters said the study shows a misapplication of law-enforcement resources on small-scale marijuana crimes.

“We continue to see a trend of increasing arrests year after year after year,” said Betty Aldworth, the spokeswoman for the campaign behind Amendment 64, the marijuana initiative.

Amendment 64 would make legal possession of up to an ounce of marijuana by people 21 and older. The study does not break down how many of the arrests are for possession of under an ounce of marijuana, but Amendment 64’s backers said such arrests are the vast majority.

Equal in prominence to the arrest numbers in the study are the distribution of those arrests. The study finds young African-Americans and Latinos are arrested at higher rates than whites and at higher rates than their representation in the population as a whole.

Representatives from the ACLU and the NAACP branches in Colorado stood beside Aldworth at the news conference last week.

“Our marijuana prohibition laws are doing far more harm than good, and that is being shown in our Latino community,” said Denise Maes, with the ACLU.

“Decriminalizing marijuana is indeed a civil rights issue because of the disproportionate impact of the war on drugs on young men and women of color,” said Rosemary Harris Lytle, of the NAACP.

Opponents of the initiative said the numbers are misleading. Many marijuana “arrests” don’t involve detention and are instead petty offenses, said Roger Sherman, the campaign manager for No on 64. Others come when police stop and detain people for other reasons.

And Sherman also said marijuana legalization would not address racial disparity in the criminal justice system. In an e-mail, he wrote:

This rationalization for legalizing marijuana trivializes the gravity of racial disparities in the justice system that have existed at every level for many decades and in fact, diminishes the efforts of the true champions for racial justice that have been fighting in the trenches for so many years. Making marijuana legal in Colorado does nothing to address this serious national problem.

Aldworth said marijuana-possession arrests result in court appearances and other adverse consequences.

“A marijuana arrest goes on a person’s record … as a drug arrest,” she said. “And that is something that stick with them for the rest of their life.”

What serious national problem would that be? The American dollars sent to illegal Mexican marijuana operations? The fact that many millions of Americans smoke marijuana recreationally without any physical, emotional or addiction problems, whatsoever. Or the fact that the FEDS can’t pull their heads out and realize that like alcohol prohibition, it doesn’t work.

Ahhh we should cut him some slack. After all he is one of two or three people left in the world that think this way. We should embrace him before it’s too late or we may never know what the dark ages of information were like.

DJ

Just think of the possibilities, lets all shop lift at an enormously high rate and then push to legalize petty theft.

Legalizing marijuana compares to petty theft about as well as taking an extra straw at McDonald’s does. Currently, no one looks out for the kids when they go down that alley to buy pot. Amendment 64 makes it as hard to obtain pot as it is for underage kids and booze. You say that nothing is stopping kids from getting booze? Well who’s fault is that? Not the marijuana industry for sure.
You still want adults arrested for choosing pot over alcohol. Then you need to be arrested for those extra napkins at KFC. It’s that big of a crime, don’t you know?

ajohnny311

Theft harms businesses and the economy, marijuana doesn’t. Legalizing petty theft would ruin the economy in a matter of months, legalizing marijuana would actually boost the economy in numerous ways. No one has a right to steal property, but people should reinstate and retain their God-given right to use cannabis… whether it be creating products from hemp, medical use, or recreational use. It’s a plant for pete’s sake, it doesn’t compare to theft in any way.

How do you figure that kingpins are going to get licences. Hard enough passing the grade to sell medical marijuana. Boy, you really don’t study before commenting do you?

ajohnny311

What is my source on what? That theft hurts the economy? About your comment about drug kingpins openning up shop next door… they might. But they wont be killing people over marijuana anymore. They wont be lacing their MJ with PCP anymore, not if it’s regulated. They wont be selling to minors anymore. They’ll pay taxes that go to schools, and if they don’t they’ll go to jail. I don’t give a shit what the person’s history is, if they aren’t hurting anyone I don’t care. But in reality, the only people who will open up shop are people who aren’t trying to keep a low profile, drug lords don’t fit that category.

Please enlighten us as to how someone using a substance that is safer than most effects you in any way? It is up to the Prohibitionists to PROVE their little WAR on their own population is justified, not the other way around…That’s how it’s SUPPOSED to work…..

Anonymous

There is a tremendous difference between theft (which harms another person) and marijuana use (which, even if it harms you, is something you voluntarily chose to do).

It is legal, for example, to eat ice cream, drink alcohol to excess, smoke cigarettes, and fail to exercise, even though all those things are bad for you. Why? Because they’re bad for YOU, and YOU have the right to make that choice. I don’t have the right to make it for you. I do have the right to tell you not to steal my property.

What a ridiculous analogy. Why not go all out and say since Hitler killed 6 million Jews, that should be legal. Get a grip.

Nate

Taxation and Regulation! End this pointless and money wasting prohibition. Stop spending our tax money on incarcerating young adults who’s only crime is smoking a substance that is far less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco. History shows that no form of prohibition has ever worked, we should learn from our pasted mistakes.

Prohibition has always been wrong and its about time the States tell The Federal Regime mind their own business that people have a God given right to free choice the Nazi’s are trying to control every aspect of American lives.. What ever happened to The Republic and The American Constitution it seems the Federal Government has done everything in its power to Abolish the God given rights of the American people every chance they get..

What did the people who discovered and explored this country think about this? Did they ask for a prescription when the little girl had an infection or somebody got sick! The same thing goes for prescription drugs and everything else!

wiley

Amen to that!

George

Ahh yes, the outpouring of the armchair laywers spouting statements such as “prohibition”, “God-Give right” and “less harmful than alcohol”.
Marijuana is not a God-given right, nor is any act of intentionally inhaling any form of smoke. We also prohibit the use of much more serious drugs such as Heroine, Cocaine and Methamphetamines…is that prohibition as well?
I have a problem with people who use drugs. I will discriminate against any person in my employment who uses drugs. If Marijuana is legalized, people can choose to use it, but in some cases there will be consequences.

Anonymous

George,
Would you fire an alcoholic even if their abuse of alcohol wasn’t inhibiting their job performance?

Ahh yes, the outpouring of armchair doctors who’ve never used, never seen the thing they fight so hard against. George, I’m quite sure you’ll never know who uses it in your charge and even if they do they’ll be better served working for someone who’s more educated.

You’re information is ‘useless’ as it’s ‘inaccurate’. Both those words makes me think ‘law enforcement’ or a related field…

Anonymous

Brain Stem.

ajohnny311

“The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good” – Genesis 1:12
George… I’m not a Christian, though I have studied the Bible some. What does this verse from Genesis mean?

It doesn’t mean anything goes, so don’t abuse the Bible by acting like a common lib and trying to rip things out of context.

ajohnny311

Really? The world we live in doesn’t allow for free will? Interesting. I’d like to hear your philosophy on that. Don’t you find it interesting that people violate that philophy every second of the day. Anything goes in my book bro. Wait… are you trying to say “you’ll go to hell if you smoke pot”? If that’s the case, show me the part of the Bible that espouses that. This is fun, I could do this all day.

I am certainly not a lib and I agree with ajohnny. I am just wondering who appointed you king of everything. You seem tense and uptight. I would recommend a puff or two… Seriously

Bryan

yea and im sure you drink so shut the fuck up tell me really how is marijuana harmful at all? maybe if you actually tried it you would understand there is nothing wrong with it just stupid people who do stupid shit people do stupid shit sober to

If he is a pothead, do you think calling him one will really have any effect? Reading your posts makes me think you may not be quite the brightest crayon in the box. You offer no evidence, only opinion.

Anonymous

You sound like an idiot, therefore it doesn’t matter what you think. Any moron who supports prohibition is too stupid to be talking in the first place. If you are free to enjoy a beer, have a cigar, or take advil, your neighbor is free to smoke a joint. We don’t need you to “let” us be free, we “are” free.

Anonymous

“Marijuana is not a God-given right, nor is any act of intentionally inhaling any form of smoke.”

Actually, I DO believe that we should legalize and regulate ALL drugs. That way we can take out gangs/druglords.
I have had a niece and a cousin succumb to drugs. At this time, I have NO issue with legalizing it to get rid of the trash that pushes drugs.

Now, as far as your ability to test, I say go for it. I think that every employer has the right to say that if a person can not control their use of drugs, then they do not have to be given a job.

jim vanderbush

blah blah blah. same shit your parents told u right. Get over it half the people at your job already smoke bro. wake up. u cant even tell when they are hi standing next to you. They probably even agree when u voice your thoughts on 64. sure boss its a horrible idea

George gets to dictate what is a god given right. I doubt I would work for you anyway. Have you tested your employees? No idea who you are or how many you (claim to) employ, but I would dare you to fire any who come up positive on a surprise test tomorrow morning. You may have a lot of seats to fill. Where are your facts!

The GCW

Since cannabis prohibition was started for racial discrimination reasons to begin with, the law has been working fine. If cannabis prohibition put more white people in jail, it would already be repealed. Ending cannabis prohibition and extermination helps lower discrimination. And when people of color get arrested for cannabis infractions, it effects their ability to gain employment, when also effects the population as a whole. Cannabis prohibition hurts us all. Even the bigots; they just don’t get it.

Anonymous

Divide and conquer – it is probably not ‘white’ people that are causing all of these problems. White people also get arrested for pot. By falling into the trap of racism you fall right into their hands. Deal with it!

Anonymous

And yet, what is needed, is to focus on the gangs/drug lords that sell drugs to our kids.
Look, if somebody is age 21 and decide to smoke pot, drop acid, shoot heroin (I guess now, they smoke it), etc, there will be no stopping them. So whether it is legal or not will not matter.

OTOH, if we stop the gangs, and prevent easy access to drugs for them, then we can solve a lot of issues.

So we legalize it so the gangs can open up shop with impunity. Epic genius.

Anonymous

Good luck opening one if you are or were a gangmember. In fact, I would like to see us say that anybody who is associated with gangs, or has a felony or better be denied ANY doings with the drug industry. In addition, since there is a separation between retailer and production, we can require tags on all packs. Likewise, for ppl to grow at home, they can still be required to get a license AND pick up tags for the amount of pot that they have, with STRICT penalties for going over, or sharing with others.

And yes, it makes far more sense to legalize it and drive the profit out of it from Gangs (and probably politicians).

Anonymous

Kind of curious. Are YOU with a gang? You making money selling on the street?

Wrong, legit businesses like Coors put the alcohol gangs out of business back in the 30’s.

Anonymous

Actually, it was the fact that moonshine and home brewing were illegal.
That is why I am actually opposed to home grown pot. However, if we require a licence and tax stamp, I am good with it.
That way, we can tract who is doing what.

Anonymous

Everything you post is a sick lie. Legalization will remove gangs from control of pot. Anyone above “moron” can understand that.

Why is poison ivy not illegal if it is so harmful? Shouldn’t the government outlaw all harmful things?

wtfk

I want the government to allow me to make the personal decision for myself.

Anonymous

Yet it’s legal. Why is a harmful plant legal, and a less harmful plant illegal?

mwm

In a republic, the states are intended to be testing grounds for new ideas. Allowing a couple of states to give this a try seems reasonable given what we know about cannabis (not physically addicting, not associated with significant health issues…). One of the primary reasons is has been so difficult to open this door to trying decriminalization is the fact so many people make their living out of enforcing the criminal aspect of the substance and the fact that enforcement brings in revenue. It’s way past time to find a reasonable way to slow the wasteful enforcement program and to stop the flow of dollars to countries and people that are not friends of America. I say yes to 64.

fuck everyone who thinks it has to do with race everyone loves weed stop making it complicated

ace

Roger Sherman said “Making marijuana legal in Colorado does nothing to address this serious national problem.”
True, but it sure will help HERE in Colorado.

betweenthelines

“This rationalization for legalizing marijuana trivializes the gravity of
racial disparities in the justice system that have existed at every
level for many decades”……. “Making marijuana legal in Colorado does nothing to address this serious national problem.”, he said.

Uhmmm…I believe Amendment 64 takes the ‘tool’ that is used to arrest people of color disproportionately out of their hands…..Problem solved……

Pigs are real – are you? Who the f__k cares about this shit. If you can’t take care of your own business then you deserve to be busted. You may be right about blacks doing more time, but that is the effect of money on the system! If you are going to go around and think that somebody else is responsible for you bust then you need to re-think things!

betweenthelines

People of color are not ‘disproportionately’ USING marijuana, it’s the ARREST part that is disproportionate….Like I said….PROBLEM SOLVED…..The cops will have to find some easier targets to lock up…Sorry….. :(

Studies reveal that marijuana use is slightly higher, on average, among whites than among african americans. African americans, however, are statistically 3.3 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than whites.

plinkochip

Legalize it, and tax it. This is the most commonsense ammendment ever. The only losers if this passes is big pharma and the prison industry. Both of which are public vampires. If you drink alcohol, or use any forms of pain meds and are against pot, you are either uninformed, or you’re a hypocrite.

According to you everything is addicting. It appears you want the government to be your monitor. Frankly I’ll take liberty over XS government.

Anonymous

You sure are a person who does not mince words! You are just bullshitting about your things. You are so obvious that it should not be taken realistically. Pinko went out with the people from Athens who was a vice-president in the early 1970’s – Spiro Agnew.

Anonymous

Nice comment, brain stem.

Anonymous

The feds won’t legalize it. Too much money involved.

Big Pharmaceutical companies doesn’t want the competition with their expensive pills and legalization would result in a loss of revenue so they will lobby Congress to keep it illegal.

Pharmacies and drug stores are in bed with Big Pharma and don’t want it legal because it severely cuts into their revenue stream so they too will lobby Congress to keep it illegal.

Law enforcement, corrections and the lawyers make too much money from “enforcement” so they’re going to lobby Congress to keep it illegal.

The distillers and liquor stores probably are also against it as a percentage of people currently purchasing alcohol may switch to weed and that would also cut into their profits.

Some South American countries rely on it as a primary source of revenue so, they’re certainly going to lobby Congress to keep it illegal.

The list is endless. Keeping it illegal is all about money and has nothing to do with social or other impacts.

If you want it legalized, there needs to be a focused and well funded lobby to go after Congress. Until it gets legalized by the feds, there is still risk of arrest or worse.

Concerned American

Concerned American • in 21 hours
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Flag as inappropriate
Billcatz,
No offense but your logic is rather twisted. And today is proof. Despite the fact that the feds do not approve CO and WA both legalized pot. It is already legal for medical reasons in many other states, its only a matter of time before the feds have to drink the kool aid as well. And I don’t believe foreign drug lords have a lot of political pull. As for big pharma well no doubt they spread their money around but in the end there is not enough to buy all the voters! and the booze sellers don’t care because people already smoke pot and its an extreme alternative. Trust me no true alcoholic is gonna kick the bottle to become a pothead. And for F’s sake people lets not forget who the feds work for……US!! Meaning you and I! The rest of this is a lil off subject but I feel it relates. First of all guess what the president does not rule the world, I did not vote Obama but that doesn’t mean I think we are screwed because he won. I am tired of so many people basing the success of this country on the Pres. Wake up America, WE are the success and failure of this county! The reason I think we are in the biggest trouble is because to many people have gave up and began believing that we are helpless and cannot stop the forces of the lobbyists and the Federal Government. Remind yourself who pays who’s salary. And if you are one of those people that want the Gov to contol our lives in exchange for a handout from them you are our country’s biggest enemy as well as your own. To those jobless or partimers that also recieve Gov Aide despite the fact that you could fully support yourself, you are a plague on our society. And sadly a plague to youself and your family. Do yourself a service and get off assistance if you can and your will realize your potential you already have, and you will be able to achieve much more than the Gov could ever give you. No one is powerless in this country! I understand some do need assistance however there are many who choose to leach off others. We have more power than most people realize, not because they are stupid but simply uninformed. You would be amazed (or maybe not) to find out how many people cannot explain how our Gov works. People are not voting because they don’t know how the electoral college works and believe that their votes count for nothing. If you don’t think your vote counts and that we are at the mercy of the all powerful Fed Gov then do me, yourself, and our country a favor and get with someone better informed close your mouth and open your mind! I hope at least one person will read and realize that we are not helpless, this is still the Land of the FREE! and when you see someone preaching that we have to do what we are told, remind them to be brave and stand tall for what they believe is right not what they are told! GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!

Do you understand the narrow limits on pot arrests in Colorado? This article conveniently leaves out that only those who fail to appear OR are carrying a lot of pot like a drug dealer are subject to arrest, and those who fail to appear only face 15 days.
Now why not be honest about this and stop trying to scare people with fraudulent statistics? In doing so you either come off as drug addicts or drug dealers.

Legalizing pot will only exacerbate teen abuse of the stuff as it is. How does this “save” us anything? Every pro-pot legislation I’ve ever seen is not only full of (intentional) loopholes, but is also full of deceptive arguments which lie wantonly by omission.

ajohnny311

Regulating Marijuana will reduce a minor’s ability to obtain the substance by putting it behind the counter rather than leaving the sale of it to criminals on the streets. Drug dealers don’t ID people, but lisenced businesses will.
It is much easier for a minor to get weed than cigarettes or alcohol, because a gas station or liquor store is legally obligated to ID the individual before the sale, and a drug dealer doesn’t give two craps how old the person is. As for the loopeholes, I don’t see any in A 64. What are you referring to?

Anonymous

And that was my fear as well. But I have been going through it and do not see anything that stop tight regs from being applied.

But what I have seen is that many of those that oppose legalization of pot ALSO have a reason for doing so. And normally, it has a lot to do with their ability to make money.

Wrong, Portugal
decriminalized marijuana in 2001 and between 2001 and 2006 in Portugal,
rates of lifetime use of any illegal drug among seventh through ninth graders
fell from 14.1% to 10.6%; drug use in older teens also declined. Teen use
of marijuana is 1/3 in the Netherlands as compared to the U.S. Marijuana is, of
course decriminalized in the Netherlands.

Airborne All The Way

Hi,
Also, we could reduce the prison population but that would have some bad effects as well. I will leave it as a homework assignment and remedial education for Mr. Ingold to find the Wall Street Journal reporting that smart policing, smart sentencing, and smart parole actually reduces drug usage. If the criminals know we are not bluffing and society will seriously come down on them, many get straight and drug free.
I see no need to eliminate MJ laws just because we have screwed public administration of the laws. Further, Mr. Ingold ignores the adverse effects of MJ stores. My daughter formerly lived in Layfayette, CO. Immediately, after a MJ shop opened up close to her home, buildings and cars near it getting tagged with gang signs. Residents nearby noted MJ shop customers parking four to five blocks away to walk to the shop so that police would not run their license plates. One license plate ran was a child molestor and there were child care centers around there.
If you like these results, then, by all means, approve Amendment 64. However, I doubt that the Denver Post will tell the whole story nor have the education to provide a balanced account of the possible options.
Regards,
Airborne All The Way
PS Economic projections of tax revenue are bogus.
PPS Tobacco causes cancer. What medical evidence do we have of MJ’ s adverse effects?

This has to be the stupidest article I’ve ever seen printed. News Flash!!! If we legalize marijuana arrests for possession will be less….. DUH!!!

ajohnny311

You’re smartest non-proponent I’ve seen so far. You get an upvote.

Kathleen Chippi

STOP the MISS-INFORMATION A64 SCAMpaign!! Most of the supposed “arrests” are petty offense tickets!! for 2 ounces or less and 6 plants or less is a misdemeanor.

If Betty is so concerned about young people being affected—why does A64 offer NO college student under 21 any re-leaf?

And John Ingold–where is an investigation on the campaigns violation of 1-13-109CRS? –misleading the electorate?

ajohnny311

“where is an investigation on the campaigns violation of 1-13-109CRS? –misleading the electorate?” It actually wasn’t misleading. Marijuana ACTUALLY IS less harmful than alcohol. Do the research. There was no unlawful conduct whatsoever.

“And Sherman also said marijuana legalization would not address racial disparity in the criminal justice system.”

This guy forgets one thing: When Brian or Sara (White) get caught with weed and the Police see their Highlands Ranch or Boulder address, it’s either a ticket or nothing at all. They never know if the person is rich and might refute it in court.

When Jamal or Juanita (Black, Hispanic) get caught with weed and the Police see their Five Points or Aurora address, it becomes an arrest or a ticket to appear in court. They get stuck with court fees and drug/alcohol classes to pay for. The cop knows they can’t afford to challenge it in court and has a slam dunk to the tune of a few thousand for the city. It’s sad, but true.

Yes on 64 can end this and a lot of other injustices brought by the failed war on drugs.

Craig or me

Wait a min. Aurora is actually a great city. I live there and the crime rate is low. I do not even smke pot. But I think it is a better deal to have it legal. In the big picture it is a harmless drug compared to happy hour Hmm Happy hour is legal to serve lots of booze to patrons over a short time period. Makes you think

Terry 1

Maybe, maybe not! Some people will still chose to buy their cheaper non taxed pot elsewhere.All adding taxes do is raise the price.

Its about taking the issue to the front. Over 50000 dead just miles from US. Not one mention in any of the debates. No one wants to ask the real questions. Ridiculous. Stop the easy money for cartels, boost your own economy with new commodity. Generate taxes, tourism and reduce crime.

hippiebitch

They aren’t going to legalize it. They don’t want us to be happy. Instead of taking medicine and pills you could just smoke some mary j. They don’t care about us. Even if they tax it everyone will just keep growing it themselves and sell it for a lower price and the gov. would make no profit. But seriously, how many deaths does marijuana cause per year? That’s right, NONE. And how many does alcohol and tobacco? Thousands. It’s absolutly ridiculous that those are legal and a harmless plant from nature isn’t.

Quoting George Schultz: “For 40 years now, our nation’s approach has been to criminalize the entire process of producing, transporting, selling and using drugs, with the exception of tobacco and alcohol. Our judgment, shared by other members of the commission, is that this approach has not worked, just as our national experiment with the prohibition of alcohol failed.”

Source: A Real Debate About Drug Policy By George P. Schultz And Paul A.
Volcker

George Schultz served as the United States Secretary of Labor and the U.S.
Secretary of the Treasury under Nixon, and as the U.S. Secretary of State under Reagan.

kp

It is absolutely ridiculous to waste time and money on arresting people for marijuana. I was a paramedic in a major municipality for 20 years. In 20 years I never once witnessed a marijuana related tragedy, and I witnessed a lot of tragedies. I also worked part-time as a paramedic for a major concert promoter. Our slowest nights where those with performers who attracted the “smoking crowd”. The drinking crowds kept us on our toes between fights, accidental injuries, and the obnoxious underage kids that always found someone to buy it for them. Speaking of kids; approximately 50,000 people are diagnosed for alcohol poisoning in the United States alone every year, I imagine the majority are under the age of 25. Lets talk violent crime and domestic abuse, I saw plenty of that as well, yet never once was the perpetrator under the influence of marijuana. Not once. In fact, at least 95% percent of the violent deaths and domestic abuse that I personally witnessed were somehow, some way related to alcohol consumption.There are people who object to any altering of the mind, and I do understand if they vote against 64. However for those who have no problem with alcohol, they are fools if they think it is okay and marijuana is not… ask any ER doc.

wgb

“Amendment 64 could reduce Colorado marijuana arrests by thousands”
The dumbest statement ever made by a writer. For your next story, “if you legalize speeding, it would reduce speeding arrests by thousands.”

The federal government can enforce its laws, yes. But it cannot force the state and local police to do so. Those agencies enforce state law. If state law doesn’t say marijuana is illegal, they’ve got nothing to enforce.

The DEA might take an interest in large operations, but they don’t have anywhere near the resources to handle everyone who would be purchasing and growing marijuana for personal use. And they’d be very much risking voter ire by stepping in to do anything when the voters of a state have explicitly said they want it legal there.

bcullum

And while we are at it, if we decriminalized the theft of say, under $1000, we would eliminate huge numbers of arrests, and they would not have the stigma of being a felon on their records.
Makes just as much sense.

Steven B.

Why do Amendment 64 folks want more kids to smoke pot?!!??!

Answer: To make money down the line to keep pot shops profitable, and kids growing up on welfare, Section 8, and food stamps as jobs won’t hire them as they can’t pass a drug test.

More welfare for the people smoking pot all day. Can’t blame Obama when welfare rolls go up as a result of Amendment 64 passes.

Anonymous

Why do prohibitionists support drug cartels? They appreciate your vote, Stephen. You and they have the same objectives.

Steven B.

Why do Amendment 64 folks support spreading B.S. about how great and wonder pot is and will save the world, financially?!?!?

You guys sound like the tobacco lobbyist of past that were fully of **** as well.

orson

A64 would not reduce marijuana related arrests because it keeps the activities people are currently getting arrested for illegal. Selling marijuana, using marijuana in public, possessing or growing outside of 6 plants, 1-2 ounces….these are things people are being arrested for and yes they all fall under “possession” but it doesn’t mean that “legalizing” possession of 1 or less ounces eliminates the arrests. A64 will not reduce arrests.

If you have ever been arrested for marijuana in colorado then you probably think A64 would stop this. Wrong! Passing a joint at a 420 festival….remains illegal. Selling pot at a 420 festival….remains illegal. Possessing more than 2 ounces….remains illegal. Everything that people are getting arrested for while in possession of marijuana would REMAIN ILLEGAL. You have to be versed in law to stay within the rights granted by A20. Restrictive laws like A20 and A64 entrap people that lack the ability to understand the black and white of the law. At least with A20 there is some gray area in the law where people exceeding the limits have a defense. In A64 there is no defense for screw ups. A64 is for the efficient use of law enforcement.

My IQ is more than 100 and I don’t smoke pot that has been shown to reduce one’s IQ from constant smoking of it.

Anonymous

No, a guy with an IQ over 100 could grasp the fact that hardly anyone who supports 64 wants to then push forth for legalization of harder drugs. You don’t seem to be able to grasp that legalized marijuana is the end-game for the vast majority of proponents.

Now, there are those who wish to decriminalize all drugs, and they have good arguments for wishing so, but that perspective has absolutely nothing to do with 64.

Anonymous

How long has this issue been going on? The government knows that millions smoke pot daily. Why do they not legalize it. Mainly so that their agents can smoke it so that they can sneak into your life and destroy it. Of course, if anybody really wanted to have any type of freedom in America might ask if they could put any type of substance into their own body

“This rationalization for legalizing marijuana trivializes the gravity of
racial disparities in the justice system that have existed at every
level for many decades and in fact, diminishes the efforts of the true
champions for racial justice that have been fighting in the trenches for
so many years. Making marijuana legal in Colorado does nothing to
address this serious national problem.”

That was a whole lot of words that say absolutely nothing. Some fine word smithing and spin that comes across as meaningful, but no real content. Who are the ‘real champions’ and what exactly are they doing to ‘help’ the racial disparities? And the ‘serious national problem’ is simply opinion. Show me some real facts. Follow the link to Mr. Shermans name for more vague statements and fear mongering.

Jim A

I don’t have a strong opinion one way or the other about Amendment 64 but, apart from the
obvious, isn’t this observation based on the same kind of thinking as
increasing the number of high school dropouts by reducing the requirements to
attain one?

But why stop with Amendment 64? Why not decriminalize armed robbery? We would see a sharp drop in the number of arrests for bank robbery and muggings and would free up much
needed capacity in the criminal justice system.

If the real point is that the societal burden of criminalizing small quantity recreational use of
reefer is not proportionate to societal benefit, why not simply focus on that?

Jill

If you are concerned about an arrest going on your record for life why not take some responsibility in your life and not just obey the law? Otherwise move out of the country or start obeying the law like most sensible people. Don’t expect this country to change laws just to suit those that have habits that are illegal, you must be kidding? We have so many irresponsible people living in Denver and Colorado that just want things their way and can’t seem to live in the society with laws and rules. That why we have jails, for you moroons, so if you don’t like it pay the price and shut the hell up.

William Wallace

Legalize it. Tax it. And keep the reefer addicts the h* out of my neighborhood.

jim

Just think, if this passes Bill Clinton might actually inhale.

Average Voter

I am amazed that everyone thinks the Mexican cartels will just “go away,” if Amendment 64 is passed. I can see them seizing the opportunity to promote their illicit trade. What a perfect front for them to sell illegal marijuana!
Bribe some folks to run stores for them. A few mysterious explosions at competitors’ outlets, a couple grisly murders of other stores’ employees, and wholesale intimidation of legitimate competitors to drive them out of the business.
What in the previous behavior of the Mexican drug cartels makes anyone think, they’ll just shake their heads, and walk away from an incredibly lucrative “legal” market that could potentially quadruple their marijuana sales in Colorado? Their violent tactics will very likely appear on the streets of our cities and eventually give them the monopoly of a marijuana trade — behind a facade of locals — they never thought would be available to them.

Cg Arnell

Whats wrong with Amendment 64 for Colorado? Here’s the problem in a nutshell. The price and effort to catch and collect money from the violators of Marijuana laws is subtracted from the fines and real policing efforts.

What if the government could just collect a new tax and have all the money and save all that police activity? It worked for Alcohol. Americans SHOULD BE TAXED for every privilege the government feels they are handing out to us, shouldn’t they?? A64 will open as a new educational tax of Twenty Million Dollars and end up as a One Hundred Million dollar fund to be squandered and mismanaged by our fiscally moronic government.

Our President has spent his Trillions with no end in sight. A64 offers Colorado goverment another souce of money to spend for things they can’t afford right now. It’s not about the dangers of Marijuana. There aren’t any! There is NO comparison… yet… between a driver under the influence of alcohol VS marijuana, and yet the government continues to make possession of marijuana a crime but as a ‘legally taxed product’ it will suddenly become a non-crime? Yes, and it will become another source of money for a desperate cancerous government to use. Is it really a ‘legalization’? What if you decide to trade something from your neighbor for a few ounces without paying a TAX ? Gee, suddenly it will still be a crime. Is it really legal if there is a TOLL for using it? If it should be legal, it should also be free of tax. We know why it’s not planned to be that way, don’t we?
This is just another way around the Colorado Tax Payers Bill of Rights which says no overspending and NO NEW TAXES.

Our confused cancerous government feels our rights should be dictated by government but, according to the Constitution we have certain inalienable rights that come to every man equally FROM GOD. Government exists to protect us from our enemies while we enjoy our God given rights, not to feed us and protect us from ourselves and our penchant for drugs and alcohol.

Just vote NO and and stop agreeing that the government has all the rights and will dole them out as they choose at whatever price they need to finance the next round of their cancerous growth. Thank you

Anonymous

I don’t really have anything against pot. The problem I have is that we need sober rational individuals to help resolve our nations problems. Whether drugs or alcohol, self medicating yourself is not going to better your ability to think or act clearly. Also, we need some draconian penalties for those found operating vehicles under the influence. Something that will make both alcohol and pot users react to the steering wheel of an automobile the way Dracula reacts to sunlight. Oh and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

NO_ON_64

A Denver cop worried about resources (my tax dollar). I don’t think so. Potheads walk out of East High (Detroit St) and smoke dope between classes. Gee, I wonder why Johnny can’t read totally wiped out on Mary Jane??? Those Denver cops (two $80,000/yr per car) won’t get out and direct traffic during rush hour when a signal goes out!!! VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 64

NO_ON_64

A Denver cop worried about resources (my tax dollar). I don’t think so. Potheads walk out of East High (Detroit St) and smoke dope between classes. Gee, I wonder why Johnny can’t read totally wiped out on Mary Jane??? Those Denver cops (two $80,000/yr per car) won’t get out and direct traffic during rush hour when a signal goes out!!! VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 64 Live a real life and take responsibility–unlike a certain President who has demonstrated that smoking dope (read his book) makes you and your nation a failure

J-Dog

Hope Amendment 64 passes then i’m on the next plane to Denver!!!
and one more thing….Vote for Gary Johnson!!!!!

fg

i say we should never legalize marijuana only because the government would make it so exspensive and put so much taxes on it. they would probably outlaw growing it for personal reasons also. Dont get me wrong i think the government is waisting so much money and time on the “war on marijuana”, but legalizing wouldnt make it any better.the de-criminalization of marijuana is the way to go.

THEE 420

GOD LEFT ALL THE PLANTS ON EARTH FOR A REASON ……EVERYBODY THINKS THERE ROCKET NERDS . WE ARE STILL A PRIMATIVE RACE ….. WERE STILL DUMB AS HELL AND CANT JUDGE CERTAIN THINGS .

Billcatz,
No offense but your logic is rather twisted. And today is proof. Despite the fact that the feds do not approve CO and WA both legalized pot. It is already legal for medical reasons in many other states, its only a matter of time before the feds have to drink the kool aid as well. And I don’t believe foreign drug lords have a lot of political pull. As for big pharma well no doubt they spread their money around but in the end there is not enough to buy all the voters! and the booze sellers don’t care because people already smoke pot and its an extreme alternative. Trust me no true alcoholic is gonna kick the bottle to become a pothead. And for F’s sake people lets not forget who the feds work for……US!! Meaning you and I! The rest of this is a lil off subject but I feel it relates. First of all guess what the president does not rule the world, I did not vote Obama but that doesn’t mean I think we are screwed because he won. I am tired of so many people basing the success of this country on the Pres. Wake up America, WE are the success and failure of this county! The reason I think we are in the biggest trouble is because to many people have gave up and began believing that we are helpless and cannot stop the forces of the lobbyists and the Federal Government. Remind yourself who pays who’s salary. And if you are one of those people that want the Gov to contol our lives in exchange for a handout from them you are our country’s biggest enemy as well as your own. To those jobless or partimers that also recieve Gov Aide despite the fact that you could fully support yourself, you are a plague on our society. And sadly a plague to youself and your family. Do yourself a service and get off assistance if you can and your will realize your potential you already have, and you will be able to achieve much more than the Gov could ever give you. No one is powerless in this country! I understand some do need assistance however there are many who choose to leach off others. We have more power than most people realize, not because they are stupid but simply uninformed. You would be amazed (or maybe not) to find out how many people cannot explain how our Gov works. People are not voting because they don’t know how the electoral college works and believe that their votes count for nothing. If you don’t think your vote counts and that we are at the mercy of the all powerful Fed Gov then do me, yourself, and our country a favor and get with someone better informed close your mouth and open your mind! I hope at least one person will read and realize that we are not helpless, this is still the Land of the FREE! and when you see someone preaching that we have to do what we are told, remind them to be brave and stand tall for what they believe is right not what they are told! GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.